Bieber’s music has long been associated with teen fans, but his most recent album broadened his appeal, and several outlets I surveyed, including this one, noted a new connection with the young male demographic.

So it would be best to be ready. Millennials have long had a connection to Bieber, as do Gen Zers due to the natural overlap between adolescence and pop culture. When the public begins to hear more about Bieber’s latest album and plans are made for a tour, you can bet that emerging generations will be well informed. Some will be ready to criticize, while others will be eager to praise.

As a youth and college ministry veteran, I’ve found it is always helpful to be familiar with the world of my students even if I’m not totally immersed in it. Not only is it a way to connect when teaching and preaching, but it is also a sign that I care, that I’m interested in their lives, their passions, and the conversations that they have each day. I have no plans to pick up Bieber’s new album when it drops in 2019, and I would never ask a worship band to learn one of his songs in an attempt to be “relevant.” But I will pay attention, and I’ll ask what my young friends are hearing and what they think.